■ RB Brandon Bolden made a spectacular leaping, back-shoulder grab of a pass from QB Brian Hoyer about 18 yards down the left sideline. Bolden had yet to show that type of receiving ability.

■ CB Ras-I Dowling came up with his first interception of camp when Hoyer was slow delivering the ball to TE Tyler Urban and also underthrew it.

■ Tom Brady zipped in a touchdown pass to TE Aaron Hernandez while Dowling and LB Jerod Mayo failed to close down the hole quick enough.

THUMBS UP

The Patriots run a special teams drill in which runners and tacklers go one-on-one. Pity the defenders who draw Hernandez or WR Julian Edelman, who are by far the most elusive Patriots in the drill. Hernandez made Mayo and Dont’a Hightower look bad, and Edelman nearly broke the ankles of S Josh Barrett.

THUMBS DOWN

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The Patriots have been thin at offensive guard for a while, but it was the tackle position that took a hit Sunday with Weems and Hix going down. That left just eight linemen to finish practice, and players such as Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon, and Donald Thomas had to take double reps.

ODDS AND ENDS

■ The passing game has not been sharp of late, and Brady’s frustration is palpable.

■ You can tell the Patriots are trying to see what Nate Ebner is made of in just his second practice. He was on the top kickoff return unit, and was inserted into the second-team defense with Ihedigbo for a stretch.

■ RB Shane Vereen continues to look more comfortable, but it’s going to be hard for him to catch Stevan Ridley for the primary back role.